Happy 2012, friends and followers. I hope your holidays were joyful. For me, the month of December was filled with parties, great friends, family, and loads of good food and wine. I am going to have to clean up my act for at least a month!

On Christmas Eve, my brother, sister-in-law, and I started the evening with a bottle of Chartogne-Taillet Brut Rosé that was sublime. The wine is a beautiful salmon colored rosé, quite dry with luscious fruit. Then, on New Year’s Eve, my dear friend, Chip, and I popped a bottle of René Geoffroy Rosé de Saignée Brut that was even more incredible. It is 100% Pinot Noir and a gorgeous raspberry color. After chilling it, we found it was best when it warmed up just slightly in the glass in order to take full advantage of the amazing aromas and flavors. The Chartogne-Taillet is in the $55 range and the Geoffroy is about $70.00.

Catherine developed a passion for travel, food, and wine early in life. She owned and operated a gourmet catering business and small restaurant for twenty years, earning a number of awards. Eventually she chose to leave the food and beverage industry, but continues to enjoy cooking and furthering her knowledge of wines.